4 Responses for "I Am 13 With Anxiety Attacks That Are Getting Worse. Any Ideas?"

1. Callie November 25th, 2009 at 10:01 pm 1

   I had really bad anxiety attacks from the ages of 11-13. Here are some of my suggestions:
   Chew a piece of gum. It helps keep you relaxed and focused on something else.
   When you feel one coming on, slowly take deep, steady breaths and clench and unclench your fists.
   Bubble Baths and Hot Showers are good too.
   My un-stress meal, grapefruit juice and spicy tuna sushi.
   Have a song that helps you calm down on hand, so it is there whenever you need to listen to it.
   It took a counselor who was a complete B**** about it and said, “You’re mom is stressed, so it is her fault you get them.” I told her off (a little) and told her I would switch them off and prove her wrong. She said, “I don’t believe you.” I walked out, and made sure I never got one again, I kept relaxed, and proved her wrong. One day, you will be able to switch it off, and have more control over them. Don’t get me wrong, I still come close to getting them, but not nearly as bad. I have been bad-anxiety attack free for almost 2 years.
   I am the type of person who won’t see a theapist, I don’t see the point. I also won’t take medication. You will eventually find what works for you on your own without someone picking at your brain. I went to my GP and she pretty much told me nothing. It is really taking others suggestions and tweaking them, and finding out what works best for you.
   Good Luck and if you need someone to talk to email me @
   pianogoosie@hotmail.com

2. Johnny D November 26th, 2009 at 12:44 am 2

   Talk to a doctor.

3. cory.101 November 26th, 2009 at 7:16 am 3

   well when u feel one comin off blink three times and cough and raise ur hand and

4. Smartphone Software November 26th, 2009 at 7:57 am 4

   I started to get them around that age, too.
   Your hormones are raging and changing as you hit puberty which really exacerbates it and makes you think you’re losing your mind, making you edgy, moody, scared, heart racing, holding your breath, clammy hands, the room’s spinning, dizzy-ness, feeling like you’re going to pass out or die, hyperventilating… I could go on and on.
   But nowadays, there’s SO much out there to help you! You need to learn techniques that will help you cope and keep it under control before it hits the top/threshold and blows so to speak. You need to learn how to focus your thoughts, how to redirect your thoughts, how to NOT react to the starting sensations that then escalate into full blown attacks. How not to associate places and things and situations with the attacks where and when you’ve had them.
   There’s so much to learn — I recommend you find a really good psychotherapist. You may have to schedule a few appointments with let’s say 3 of them in a week, then pick your favorite you connect with most and continue to see that one on a weekly basis. They will help you the most. And if it gets really out of hand, in the meantime they could recommend you to a psychiatrist (or even your primary physician) to prescribe a low dose of anti-anxiety medication.
   But I recommend seeing a psychotherapist first, because psychiatrists and other physicians aren’t about therapy and coping skills, they’re just going to prescribe you pills. Which only mask symptoms, but don’t help in the long run. Hope I helped — and remember, it’s totally common, you’re not alone in that.